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The 2nd World Summit on Social Development is being held at the National Convention Centre in Doha Qatar from November 04 – 06th 2025. Representing the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis is Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Education, Social Development and Gender Affairs, Youth Empowerment, Ageing and Disability, Housing and Human Settlement and Ecclesiastic and Faith Based Affairs, the Hon. Dr. Geoffrey Hanley.
Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Geoffrey Hanley.As the Federation is currently a Vice President of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, which requires the Permanent Representative to assist with presiding over plenary meetings, this responsibility has been undertaken by Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Hanley.
On Tuesday November 04th 2025, Hon. Dr Hanley served as Vice President for the afternoon Plenary Session.
During this plenary session, he also delivered the Federation’s national statement. His statement confirmed the Federation’s commitment to the implementation of the Doha Declaration, extended prayers for our Caribbean neighbours affected by the recent passage of Hurricane Melissa and shared with the delegates the work of the Federation in the areas of poverty eradication, the promotion of full and productive employment and decent work for all and social integration. Special mention was made of the ASPIRE Program, the increase to the national minimum wage and the expanded provisions of universal education which now includes the removal of tuition cost for local tertiary education.
On Wednesday November 05th, Hon. Dr. Hanley served as co-chair a high-level round table on the topic “Assessing progress and addressing gaps and challenges in the implementation of the commitments of the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and its Programme of Action and giving momentum towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
Throughout the week, Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Hanley will attend bi-lateral meetings as requested by the Governments of Germany and Suriname. During these bilateral meetings, expressions of thanks will be extended for the existing assistance provided to the Federation from Germany in support of expanding our TVET sector through scholarships and training. Opportunities for regional collaboration will be explored with the Government of Suriname as members of CARICOM.
Hon. Dr. Hanley will also be attending side events that are designed to provide a space for information sharing by member states as to the work undertaken on the various tenets of social protection such as housing, education, employment and decent work, protection of women and social services.
As the eighth smallest country in the world and the smallest in the western hemisphere that has enjoyed independence for the past forty – two (42) years, the Federation will use the information shared, the knowledge gained, and the connections made to continue the people first agenda which is the foundation for the Sustainable Island State Agenda (2040).
General Information on the Second World Summit on Social Development
The United Nations General Assembly by its Resolutions 78/261 adopted on 26 February 2024 and 79/556 adopted on 16 July 2024, decided to convene the World Social Summit under the title, “Second World Social Summit”.
The General Assembly also decided that the Summit would adopt a concise, action-oriented political declaration, agreed in advance by consensus through intergovernmental negotiations in New York, that should have a social development approach and give momentum towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This declaration has been adopted as the Doha Declaration.
Convening at the level of Heads of State or Government, the summit aims to build on the 10 Commitments of the 1995 Summit held in Copenhagen, Denmark and the Copenhagen Declaration, by accelerating action on poverty eradication, the promotion of full employment and decent work, and social inclusion, ensuring that no one is left behind, in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. It aims to address persistent gaps and reaffirm global commitment to social development. In a world facing growing inequalities, demographic shifts, and rapid technological transformation, the need for a renewed commitment to social progress has never been more urgent. The Federation was represented at that meeting by Prime Minister, His Excellency Sir Kennedy Simmonds.
In Doha, world leaders will come together to redefine strategies for social progress, strengthen global partnerships, and promote inclusive policies that foster equitable opportunities for all. The goal: to build societies that are more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable.
The Summit will serve as a pivotal platform for dialogue, cooperation, and joint solutions, convening governments, international organizations, the UN system, civil society, cooperatives, academia, the private sector, and experts to strengthen international cooperation for inclusive social development.
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